U.S. patent application number 11/398813 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-21 for bio-feedback walker device.
Invention is credited to Levi Dempsey.
Application Number | 20080042853 11/398813 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39100897 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080042853 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dempsey; Levi |
February 21, 2008 |
Bio-feedback walker device
Abstract
A device for providing grip strength feedback and alerting users
when gripping strength fails used. The device comprises a trigger
wire, two switches, an alerting means associated with the switches
and a battery. A first end of the trigger wire is connected to one
of the switches and a second end of the trigger wire is connected
to the other switch. The device is secured on a handle of the
walker such that the trigger wire is located below the handle of
the walker and is grasped by the user and the ulna side and radial
sides of the hand of the user are associated with the first and
second ends of the trigger wire, respectively. The alerting means
sends an audible alarm when the grasping strength of the user is
weakened or completely lost.
Inventors: |
Dempsey; Levi; (Capitol
Heights, MD) |
Correspondence
Address: |
EDWIN TARVER
16830 Ventura Blvd.
SUITE 360
Encino
CA
91436
US
|
Family ID: |
39100897 |
Appl. No.: |
11/398813 |
Filed: |
April 5, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60669140 |
Apr 6, 2005 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
340/573.1 ;
135/67 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45B 9/02 20130101; A61H
2201/5061 20130101; A61H 3/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/573.1 ;
135/067 |
International
Class: |
G08B 21/00 20060101
G08B021/00; A61H 3/00 20060101 A61H003/00 |
Claims
1. A device for providing feedback regarding grasping strength and
continuity, used in conjunction with a walking aid, the device
comprising; two flange-like members; a connecting member connecting
the two flange-like members by maintaining a spaced relation
between the two flanges; a trigger member having a first end and a
second end; two switches, wherein each of the two flange-like
members houses one of the switches, and each end of the trigger
member is connected to each of the switches; an alerting means
associated with the switches; a power supply means for supplying
power to the alerting means and the switches; and a means to secure
the device on the handle of a walking aid in a suitable position so
that the trigger wire is located below the handle of the walker and
grasped by a person using the device, wherein the ulna side and
radial sides of the hand of the person are associated with the
first and second ends of the trigger wire, respectively.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the flange-like members comprise
a substantially semi-circular groove for receiving the handle of
the walker, a plurality of threaded holes, and a plate-like member
with threaded holes.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein the handle of the walker is
received in the semi-circular grooves, the plate-like member is
placed over the flange-like member and the handle, and a plurality
of bolts are used to attach the flange-like member and the
plate-like member after aligning the threaded holes on the
flange-like member and the plate-like member, thereby securing the
device over the handle of the walker.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the flange-like members comprise
a substantially semi-circular groove for receiving the handle of
the walker, wherein the handle of the walker is received in the
semi-circular grooves and a plurality of straps with hook and loop
fasteners or the like are used to secure the device over the handle
of the walker.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the alerting means associated
with the first end of the trigger wire comprises a first audible
alarm, and the alerting means associated with the second end of the
trigger wire comprises a second audible alarm.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein when the grasping strength is
below a required level, at least one of the audible alarms is
activated, thereby alerting the person using the walker.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises two
light indicators, each associated with the first and second ends of
the trigger wire, the two light indicators provide a visual display
of illuminated light when the required grasping strength is
maintained by the person using the walker.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein a toggle switch is used to
activate the device.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein the power supply means is a
battery.
10. The device of claim 5, wherein the alarms are of different
pitches, tones, or sounds and are distinguishable when sounded
together.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION:
[0001] This is a utility patent application which claims benefit of
U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/669,140 filed on Apr. 6,
2005.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Not Applicable
SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM
[0003] Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL
[0004] Portions of the disclosure of this patent document contain
material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright
owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of
the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the
Patent and Trademark Office file or records, but otherwise reserves
all copyright rights whatsoever.
BACKGROUND
[0005] The present invention generally relates to walking aid
devices with sensors, and more particularly to a device that
provides biofeedback about the grasp of a user, when used in
conjunction with a walker. The device is used for treatment of
patients with poor or impaired motor skills and senses.
[0006] Walking aids are generally used by elderly people and by
people who are affected by diseases such as hemiplegia and who have
sustained leg injuries. Although the use of the walking aids may be
temporary in some cases, people affected by acute hemiplegia or
other similar diseases may need to use them for longer periods.
People affected by such diseases have limited use of their arms and
hands due to loss of their range of motion, muscle weakness, or
sensory loss. During rehabilitation, patients usually try to walk
with the help of walking aids, such as a walker device, a walking
stick, or a crutch. These walking aids may include sensing devices
to get a feedback of the patient's condition based on grasping
strength, load distribution, etc.
[0007] Several walking aids with sensors have been developed in
art. For example, U.S. Pub. No. 20050077345 to March discloses a
walker distance measuring device for quantifying the movement and
the travel of a patient using the walker. The device is to be
installed upon the walker. The device comprises a wheel assembly, a
measuring assembly and a display. The wheel assembly is capable of
attachment to a walker, and includes a support and a wheel. The
measuring assembly comprises a sensor having a trigger associated
with one of the support and the wheel and a pickup associated with
the other of the support and the wheel. A processor is
electronically coupled with the sensor. The processor is capable of
interpreting the information received from the sensor. The display
is associated with the processor for displaying results. The nature
of the biofeedback information, i.e. the distance measurement of
the walker provided by this device is different from the present
invention.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,011,481 to Luther discloses a walking cane
with sensors for supporting a patient and as well as for providing
a biofeedback. The walking cane includes a handle, a vertical
shaft, and multiple legs. Each of the legs is associated with
electronic stress/load sensors that are coupled with an electronic
processing module. The electronic processing module evaluates the
input from the cane legs and activates a warning to the user in the
event that the load sensors on the legs detect a load distribution
indicative of an approaching unstable situation. The user can then
stop and probe with the cane until a stable position is found. The
feedback provided by this apparatus is based on measuring the load
distribution among the legs of the walking cane unlike the present
invention, which is based on the measurement of the grasping
strength of a patient.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,511,571 to Adrezin discloses a method and
apparatus for gait measurement of a patient. A walking aid such as
a walker, cane, or crutch is instrumented with load sensors to
measure the loads in the aid as it is being used. The measured
loads are used to analyze the user's gait to insure proper
selection and sizing of a walking aid, stability of the user, and
proper limb loading. In a preferred embodiment, strain gauges are
mounted on the legs of a walker and connected through a signal
processing interface to a computer for data analysis and display.
The gauges are mounted, calibrated, and connected to the signal
processing interface so as to permit measurement of the axial,
bending, and torsional forces in each leg of the walker as it is
being used. This data is then used for qualitative and quantitative
assessment of the user's gait. The feedback provided by this
apparatus is based on the measurement of the load distribution in
the legs of the walker, which is different from that of the present
invention, which measures grasping strength and alerts the patient
in case of insufficient grasp.
[0010] Although many walking aids associated with feedback sensors
have been developed, the object of the present invention is to
provide a bio-feedback device for assisting the treatment of
patients with impaired ambulatory sense, when used in conjunction
with a walker.
[0011] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
bio-feedback device, which assesses grasping strength of a
patient.
[0012] Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide
a biofeedback device, which alerts a patient using the walker when
his/her grasping strength is below an expected level. These and
other objects of the present invention will become better
understood with reference to the appended Summary, Description, and
Claims.
SUMMARY
[0013] The present invention generally relates to walking aid
devices with sensors, and more particularly to a grasp alerting
device for use in conjunction with a walker. The grasp-alerting
device is used to provide biofeedback by alerting a patient based
on the grasping strength. The device includes a handle portion and
a control box connected to the handle portion. The handle portion
comprises two flange-like members, a connecting member connecting
the flange-like members, a switch housed in the each flange-like
member, and a trigger wire extending between the flange-like
members. The two ends of the trigger wire are connected to the
switches. The control box of the device comprises a battery, a
toggle switch for activating the device, an on/off button, two
light indicators, and two audible alarms. One of the light
indicators and the audible alarms are connected to a first switch,
while the other light indicator and the audible alarm are connected
a second switch.
[0014] An installation means is used to install the device over the
handle of a walker. After installation, the trigger wire is below
the walker handle. A patient is then asked to grasp the walker
handle along with the trigger wire. If the patient holds the walker
with sufficient strength to depress both ends of the trigger wire,
the indicator lights remain on, and the device makes no sound. If a
user's grip loosens, the light indicators turn off and audible
alarms are activated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0015] FIGS. 1 through 4 are perspective views of the
grasp-alerting device in accordance with the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the grasp-alerting device
installed on a walker in accordance with the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of
the grasp-alerting device installed on a walker in accordance with
the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 7 is an outline of all the hardware components and
their connections of the grasp-alerting device in accordance with
the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of the present invention.
FIGURES--REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0020] 10 . . . Grasp-alerting Device [0021] 11 . . . Handle of the
Walker [0022] 12 . . . Walker [0023] 13 . . . Flange-like Member
[0024] 14 . . . Connecting Member Cushion [0025] 15 . . . Trigger
Wire [0026] 16A . . . Forward Switch [0027] 16B . . . Rear Switch
[0028] 17 . . . Semi-circular Groove [0029] 18 . . . First
Plate-like Member [0030] 19 . . . Connecting Member [0031] 20 . . .
Thumb Screws [0032] 21 . . . Battery [0033] 22 . . . Toggle Switch
[0034] 23 . . . Push Button [0035] 24 . . . Forward Switch
Indicator Light [0036] 25 . . . Rear Switch Indicator Light [0037]
26 . . . Audible Alarm [0038] 27 . . . Connecting Wire [0039] 28 .
. . Second Plate-like Member [0040] 29 . . . Alternate Embodiment
of the Device [0041] 30 . . . Flange-like Member of the Alternate
Embodiment [0042] 31 . . . Strap with Hook and Loop Fasteners
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0043] Referring to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of a
grasp-alerting device 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 8. The
present invention is a battery-operated grasp alerting device 10
that is used in conjunction with a walking aid such as a walker.
The device 10 assesses the grasping strength of a patient using the
walker and notifies a user of physical therapist in the event a
patient looses their grip.
[0044] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, the device 10 can be divided
into a handle portion and a display/alerting portion connected to
the handle portion. The handle portion includes two flange-like
members 13, a connecting member 19 connecting the two flange-like
members 13, a trigger wire 15, with switches connected to each end
of the trigger wire 15, and disposed inside each flange-like
member. The flange-like members 13 include a semi-circular groove
and a plurality of threaded holes (not shown) on their top
surfaces. The semi-circular groove is suitably dimensioned to
receive a walking device handle 11.
[0045] The handle portion also includes a two plate-like members 18
with a plurality of holes (not shown) and a connecting member
cushion 14 to grip the handle of a walking device. The connecting
member cushion 14 of the handle portion is partially enclosed by
the connecting member 19, which is adapted to conform to the shape
of the walker handle 11. The trigger wire 15 is positioned below
the connecting member 19. The plate-like members 18 are attached to
the top surface of the flange-like members 13 by using thumb screws
20. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, thumb screws 20 are
used to allow easy removal and reinstallation of the device 10.
[0046] Still referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, The display/alerting
portion comprises the control box of the device and includes an
internal battery, a toggle switch 22 for activating the device 10,
a push button 23 to serve as an easily accessible on/off switch, a
forward switch indicator light 24, a rear switch indicator light 25
and two audible alarms 26. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the forward
switch 16A is connected to a first end of the trigger wire, which
is associated with the forward light indicator 24 and a first
audible alarm 26A. The rear switch 16B is connected to a first end
of the trigger wire, which is associated with the rear light
indicator 25 and a second audible alarm 26B. A wire 27 connects the
display/alerting portion to the switches in the handle portion. A
second plate-like member 28 is used to connect the display/alerting
portion and the handle portion. The second plate-like member 28
also includes holes and several suitable means, such as thumb
screws to attach the handle portion to the display/alerting portion
of the device 10.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 5, in order to install the device 10, the
semi-circular grooves 17 are made to receive the walker handle 11.
The first plate-like member 18 is then placed over the flange-like
member 13 and the handle 11. The threaded holes on the flange-like
member 13 and the first plate-like member 18 are aligned and the
bolts are used to attach the flange-like member and the plate-like
member, thereby securing the device 10 over the handle 11 of the
walker.
[0048] In an alternate embodiment of the device 29 shown in FIG. 6,
the flange-like member 30 is of different construction and the
plate-like members are not included. A plurality of straps 31 with
hook and loop fasteners are used to secure the device 29 over the
walker's handle, instead of the plate-like members 18 and bolts 20
used in the preferred embodiment of the device 10. However, several
suitable designs and structures are possible by using essential
hardware components and establishing connections between the
hardware components, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.
[0049] The trigger wire 15 is below the walker handle 11 after the
device 10 is installed. To operate the device, the device is
powered on with the toggle switch, and a patient is made to grasp
the walker's handle 11 along with the trigger wire 15. Then the
push button 23 can activate the switches. In a typical gripping
position, the ulna side and radial sides of the patient's hand are
associated with the first and second ends of the trigger wire 15,
respectively. As cited earlier, the first and second ends of the
trigger wire 15 are in turn associated with the two separate
switches 16A and 16B. Therefore, the light signal and the first
audible alarm are associated with the ulna side of the hand and the
LED and the second audible alarm are associated with the radial
side of the hand.
[0050] When the patient grasps the trigger wire 15, along with the
walker's handle 11, with appropriate grasping strength, the light
indicator 24 and the LED indicator 25 are activated, providing a
visual display. The first audible alarm 26A is activated and the
light indicator 24 is deactivated when the grasp on ulna side of
the hand is less or lost. Similarly, the second audible alarm 26B
is activated and the LED 25 is deactivated when the grasp on radial
side of the hand is less or lost. The first and second audible
alarms 26A and 26B employ different tones to distinguish the alarms
from the ulna and radial sides. Both the first and second alarms
26A and 26B are activated when the patient completely looses the
grip.
[0051] The patients are alerted once the alarms are activated and
can turn off the alarms by increasing their grip. By observing the
number of times the alarms go on and off, and the quality of
maintained and achieved grasp of the ulna and radial sides of the
hand, while performing bilateral activities or ambulating with a
walker, a patient's condition can be analyzed.
[0052] All features disclosed in this specification, including any
accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings, may be replaced by
alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar
purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly
stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a
generic series of equivalent or similar features.
[0053] Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state "means
for" performing a specified function, or "step for" performing a
specific function, is not to be interpreted as a "means" or "step"
clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. .sctn.112, paragraph 6. In
particular, the use of "step of" in the claims herein is not
intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. .sctn.112, paragraph
6.
[0054] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have
been shown and described, various modifications and substitutions
may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of
the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present
invention has been described by way of illustration and not
limitation.
* * * * *